MONARKE III

Music lifts the spirit and transports people out of their everyday concerns. Sometimes the desire for musical expression results in something exceptional, as is the case at Johannus. For this desire we have invented an instrument that will change the organ world forever.

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The reigning King of Instruments

Centuries of European organ tradition, decades of craftsmanship and years of research and development converge in the Monarke line. Entirely custom-built, these organs from Johannus are earning the notice of organists the world over, and with good reason. With ancestry deeply rooted in the annals of traditional organ building, and embracing the innovative technologies of Johannus, Monarke has become the reigning King of Instruments. Physically, Monarke is not truly a pipe organ for one simple reason - no actual wind is flowing through pipes. Yet in a Monarke you hear the real sound of a pipe organ. How is this possible?

Blossoming from tradition

Centuries of musical tradition have made Europe the undisputed birthplace of the organ. Johannus took its first baby steps on this same continent over forty years ago, blossoming in that rich tradition. As familiar strains by famous organ composers echoed through the halls at Johannus, the Monarke was born in 1980, continuing in that long tradition. And just in time! In this day and age, location and time are irrelevant; modern organists want to be able to play a full-fledged organ anytime and anywhere - in a church, a cathedral, a concert hall, or even in their own living room. And organists aren’t the only ones seeking the pure sound of Monarke; church congregations and concert-goers alike also long for the full sound of an organ that reaches every corner of the room.

A dream becomes reality

Monarke has made that dream a reality. Take a seat and experience the Monarke for yourself. Close your eyes and listen. It sounds like a pipe organ, doesn’t it? Yes, it truly sounds like an authentic pipe organ! But where does that phenomenal sound come from? That phenomenal sound, that pure and natural quality you hear in Monarke, comes from years of hard work and innovation by the research and development teams at Johannus. They constantly seek out the best recording and playback technologies, audio systems, pipe organ samples, and voicing techniques. Over the years, this relentless pursuit has given rise to Monarke - a unique and constantly innovating organ with achingly clear sounds, almost completely indistinguishable from an actual pipe organ.

Can you even tell the difference?

The result is so true to reality that even a connoisseur won’t hear the difference. All the sounds of the pipe organ have been faithfully recorded and digitally recreated note by note. Every key of the Monarke has its own characteristic speech and tone, carried on the sound of wind rushing through the pipe. The natural fluctuations of the wind can be heard and sensed. And then there’s the carrying capacity. Thanks to an innovative audio system custom-designed for each space, the organ sounds are distributed through multiple channels and speakers, ensuring that the Monarke fills the room with the same impressive fullness of a pipe organ. Monarke is the very best replica of the historic pipe organ currently available anywhere in the world.

The organist decides

That’s not all, though. There’s another big secret behind Monarke’s worldwide success. Yes, each Monarke draws on a wealth of European music history, years of traditional craftsmanship and unparalleled technology, but it is also the product of its owner. Each Monarke is a fully custom-built organ. As the owner, you decide on the console, the size of the organ, the finishes, the layout, the type of controls, the keyboards, the disposition, the audio system, and the voicing. Each Monarke is 100% custom-designed. You choose the console - Monarke offers you a selection of the most beautiful woods. Clean light oak, robust Dutch dark oak, deep glossy mahogany, or fiery flickering cherry? Richly decorated, plain, playful or modern? You decide. You choose the disposition - the choice of stop list and the selection of samples from beautiful historic organs are up to you. From the 32-foot Subbass in the Pedal to the frivolous Piccolo in the Choir, every pipe, every voice, every register has been recorded and processed by our experts with the greatest of care.

Passion and precision

Meticulous precision is characteristic of Monarke, or rather, it’s characteristic of the people behind Monarke. The designers, audio technicians, musicians: they all work to realize the Monarke dream with passion and precision. Once the specification is complete, they work together using traditional craftsmanship to produce the individual parts. The console, the keys, the stops, the pedals, the samples, advanced electronics - everything is custom-made. When all of the pieces are complete, the organ is assembled and voiced with skilled precision. The voicing process is repeated again after we install the instrument. This ensures that the acoustics of the room are used to maximum effect, bringing out the proper timbre of every register. The end result is an organ with all of the desirable attributes of a pipe organ. Monarke stands firmly on the shoulders of an organ tradition spanning centuries, relying on expert craftsmanship and innovative technologies. And … your Monarke is uniquely yours. Designed and built just for you.

Music starts with silence

Your Monarke is unique, but it is not alone. Since its birth, we’ve installed thousands of Monarkes in over 100 countries. They stand in churches, cathedrals, concert halls, conservatories and living rooms all over the world, regularly accompanying choirs and orchestras, and amazing listeners. And now Monarke can be yours. That thought might make you fall silent for a moment. But, as famous cellist Mstislav Rostropovich once said: “Music starts with silence.”